Mass. DOT snow, ice budget over capacity

BOSTON -- While top state officials mull tax options to address long-term transportation-financing needs, they face a more immediate problem in the state's depleted winter road-clearing budget.

According to information compiled for the News Service by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, MassDOT this year budgeted $45.5 million for snow and ice removal. However, actual spending on road-clearing was already at $84 million as of March 11.

"That amount is expected to rise as wintry weather continues and we receive deliveries of materials and call on our plow truck vendors...again!" DOT spokeswoman Sara Lavoie wrote in an emailed response to inquiries about the state snow and ice budget and spending trends.

At least three Statehouse events scheduled for Tuesday had already been postponed Monday as the National Weather Service issued a winter-storm warning from 9 p.m. Monday until 11 a.m. Tuesday. The forecast calls for 1-2 inches of snow for Cape Cod and more than a foot in central and western Massachusetts.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino's office indicated Monday afternoon that city officials expect 4 to 7 inches of snow to fall in Boston overnight, with uncertainty over when the snow will turn to sleet and rain during Tuesday morning's commute.

MassDOT is authorized to spend $30 million in addition to its $45.5 million budget without seeking supplemental funding from the Legislature.

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And since spending has already exceeded that level, department officials say Beacon Hill is aware that a request for additional funding is likely this spring.

"Spring may be here, but we all know that does not necessarily mean the end to plowing and treating roadways. There is significant snow fall in the forecast for tonight into tomorrow," Lavoie said.

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